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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



Lyrics and Legends 



BY 



NORA PERRY 

AUTHOR OF "after THE BALL AND OTHER POEMS," "NEW SONGS 

AND BALLADS," "A FLOCK OF GIRLS AND THEIR FRIENDS," 

"ANOTHER FLOCK OF GIRLS," ETC. 



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'bHili^\j, 



BOSTON 

LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 

1891 



T6 ^^^^ 



Copyright, 1891, 
By Nora Perry 



Slnibrrsitp ^rcss: 
John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. 




l: L 



Soitfig of Spring. 

Page 

What the Crocus said 9 

The Easter Message 12 

The Coming of the Spring 15 

Maiden May iS 

Sonp of Summer. 

To THE Sweetheart June 23 

Queen of them all 25 

Flower Dance ■ • • 27 

Dawn 29 

Autumn. 

After Vacation 33 

The Song of the Chrysanthemum 35 



iv Contents. 

TOintcr. 

Page 

The Old and the New 39 

iLob£ antJ JFrt£ntJsf)ip- 

Where ? 45 

The Rose and the Weed 48 

P^ATE 50 

Two Friends 52 

His Mesmeric Experiment 57 

3Log0 anti ®ain. 

Through the Storm 63 

The Star of Truth 64 

The Lesson of Trust 66 

The Lost Friend 68 

A Lost Day 70 

Discontent ... 72 

Lucifer 74 

|^0pe anti JHemorg. 

From Day to Day 77 

A Conqueror 80 

Take Heart of Grace . 84 

In the Rain 86 



Contents. v 
Songs of Nefa 3£nglanti. 

Page 

The Pilgrim Voyagers 91 

On Plymouth ]^ay 95 

Our French Allies . . . . 98 

Ballatig. 

The Siege of Calais 107 

Balboa 119 

The Hero of the Fort 125 

Jim 131 

The Colonel's Story i35 

The Little Foes 138 




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LYRICS AND LEGENDS. 



WHAT THE CROCUS SAID. 

Month after month, and day by day, 
Beneath sweet mother earth I lay, 
And slept and woke, and slept again. 
Lulled by the whispering winds and rain. 

At times, within my shrouded bed 
I felt the restless, hurrying tread 
Of human steps, and caught the beat 
Of human hearts above the feet. 



lo Lyrics and Legends. 

I kept so still within my place 

That though I did not see a face, 

I heard each breath that passed my way, 

And knew what every heart did say. 

I knew their hopes, I knew their fears, 
I heard their laughter and their tears; 
But over all I heard a plaint, 
Now lifted high, now falling faint, — 

A plaint of doubt, and doubting dread ; 
A questioning, hungry cry that spread 
From heart to heart until I heard. 
Sometimes, no other sound or word. 

And all the while the rootlets grew 
About my bed ; from old and new 
I felt the quickening pulse and breath, 
The throes of life that conquered death. 



What the Crocus said. Ii 

I knew that when the months came round 
My leaves would break the sheltering ground, 
Would leap like light from out the earth 
In all the glory of new birth. 

I knew that thus from life to death, 
From death to life, this living breath 
Of bud and bloom, of leaf and flower, 
Eternal sprang from hour to hour. 

Yet while thus sentient in my shroud. 
Above me, moving in a cloud, 
These restless hearts cried in the bright 
And high noonday, " God, give us light ! " 



THE EASTER MESSAGE. 

Once more the promise of the spring, 
The quickening and awakening 

Of sap and shoot, 

And tender root ; 
Once more the miracle of birth 
Along the length and breadth of earth ; 

Once more the breath 

Of life for death. 
Released again from winter's doom 
Of frozen days, from Lenten gloom, 

We seem to stand 

In some new land, 
And fresh the breeze that blows abroad 
That brings the message of our Lord, 



The Easter Mcssas^e. 



The heavenly breath 

Of Ufe for death. 
Oh, spirit folded in thy sleep, 
Oh, soul long buried fathoms deep 

Beneath the old 

Material mould, 
Fling off the load that, year by year, 
Has veiled thy sight and dulled thine ear; 

And as the lark 

Doth, soaring, hark 
To heavenly sounds, so hearken thou 
To that low voice that calleth now 

Across the dark. 

Oh, wake and hark, 
The night goes fast ! Oh, wake and pray, 
For 'tis the dawn of Easter day, 

When heaven doth lift 

Above the drift 



14 Lyrics and Legends. 

Of self and sense ; when budding earth, 
Renews the parable of birth ; 

When Christ doth wake 

With us to break 
The bond of sense which is our pall, — 
Doth wake and wait while He doth call, 

" Oh, here and now 

Awaken thou ! " 



THE COMING OF THE SPRING. 

There 's something in the air 
That 's new and sweet and rare — 
A scent of summer things, 
A whirr as if of wings. 

There 's something too that 's new 
In the color of the blue 
That 's in the morning sky, 
Before the sun is high. 

And though on plain and hill, 
'Tis winter, winter still, 
There 's something seems to say 
That winter 's had its day. 



1 6 Lyrics and Legends. 

And all this changing tint, 
This whispering stir and hint 
Of bud and bloom and wing, 
Is the coming of the spring. 

And to-morrow or to-day 
The brooks will break away 
From their icy, frozen sleep, 
And run and laugh and leap. 

And the next thing, in the woods, 
The catkins in their hoods 
Of fur and silk will stand, 
A sturdy little band. 

And the tassels soft and fine 
Of the hazel will untwine. 
And the elder branches show 
Their buds against the snow. 



TJlc Coming of the Spring. ly 

So, silently but swift, 
Above the wintry drift, 
The long days gain and gain, 
Until, on hill and plain. 

Once more, and yet once more 
Returning as before. 
We see the bloom of birth 
Make young again the earth. 



MAIDEN MAY. 

Oh, what 's the day, and where 's the way 
That brought you hither, sweetmg? 

The hills were brown as you came down, 
The skies with tears were greeting. 

But as you pass, the sodden grass 
Takes on a sudden splendor ; 

And April dries her weeping eyes, 
Then smiles in sweet surrender. 

Oh, whereaway did you delay ; 

In what near nook, my sweeting, 
Did slyly stand, so close at hand. 

While April stood a-greeting? 



Maiden May. 19 



No breath of you was in the dew, 

No hint of you before us ; 
The winds were wet with April yet, 

And sobbing in a chorus, 

When, swift and strong, you came along 

As if nowise belated, 
Your face alight with blushes bright, 

Your arms with blossoms freighted. 

You lifted up each flowery cup, 

Yourself a flowery vision ; 
At April fears of April 's tears, 

You laughed in gay derision. 

For what were fears, and what were tears, 

To you, my merry maiden. 
As you came down the hillside brown 

With rosy May-flowers laden? 



20 Lyrics and Legends. 

But vvhereaway, oh, whereaway, 
In what near nook, my sweeting, 

Did you find room to hide your bloom, 
While April stood a-greeting? 



TO THE SWEETHEART JUNE. 

Here 's to my love, and here 's to my dove, 

And here 's to my darUng and dear ; 
From the dew of the rose, as it bourgeons and blows, 

I will drink to my sweetheart here. 

With the eyes of a lover, I watch her come over 

The crest of the purple hills ; 
My pulses beat at the sound of her feet. 

Along by the rivers and rills. 

For at ever so light a touch, or so slight, 

A tuneful song doth arise, 
And as ever so swift the waters drift, 

They catch the blue of her eyes. 



24 Lyrics and Legends. 



And where she passes, the emerald grasses.. 

The flowering garden and glade, 
Lift higher and higher each tender spire. 

Of bud and blossom and blade. 

And the soul of the rose is wooed to unclose, 

And slip from its sheath of death, 
To revel anew in the sun and the dew, 

At the touch of her balmy breath. 

Then drink to her health, and drink to her wealth 

Of summer bloom and cheer. 
As through the grasses she lightly passes, 

The sweetheart of the year. 



QUEEN OF THEM ALL. 

Breath of the wind that blows and blows, 
South and west, and west and south, 

Bring us a lily, bring us a rose. 

Sweet with a kiss of your balmy mouth. 

April has lost her golden blows 
Of cowslip, crocus, daffydowndilly, 

And May-buds cry, " 'T is the time of the rose, 
And her maid of honor, the garden lily." 

One by one they have all made room, 
April and May-flowers stepped aside. 

Waiting for her, — the rose in bloom. 

And her maid of honor dressed like a bride. 



26 Lyrics and Legends. 

Veiled and shrouded they wait to go, — 
These flowers of April, flowers of May; 

What do they wait for, do you know, 
Lingering, loitering thus by the way? 

Just for a glimpse of the queen of them all, 
And her maid of honor dressed like a bride. 

Coming along, stately and tall, 
Royal beauties side by side. 

Then will the loiterers bid good-by, 
And into their stalks will shrink away. 

And half with a smile, and half with a sigh. 
Nod and murmur, " We 've had our day." 

So, breath of the wind that blows and blows, 
South and west, and west and south, 

Hasten and bring us the lily and rose. 
Sweet with the kiss of your balmy mouth. 



FLOWER DANCE. 

Oh, hearken and listen 

When honey-dews glisten 
At eve or at morn 
On the flower o' the corn, 

On the lips of the lily 

And the daffy downd illy, 

On the bud o' the rose 
As it turns to unclose. 

On the white daisy faces 

That smile in their places. 
Oh, hearken and list, 
For this is the tryst 

That brings the bee hither 

A-tuning his zither 



28 Lyrics and Legends. 

To waltz and galop, 
Till swiftly we go, 
We lilies and roses 
And all the sweet posies 

That summer doth bring, 
In a mad merry swing. 



DAWN. 

One moment in a sleep like death 
The world of Nature holds its breath, 
'Mid darkness such as might have been 
In days of midnight chaos ; then, 
Another moment, 'thwart the gloom 
Cometh a mist of light, a bloom 
Like that upon the purple store 
Of vintages ; a moment more, 
A slender, piping note is heard, 
Then throat by throat each hidden bird 
Breaks into tune, — a herald's lay, 
That ushers in the dawn of day. 



AFTER VACATION. 

Here they come, the happy crew, 
Merry monarchs through and through. 
Laughing, chattering, all together. 
In the red-leafed autumn weather. 

Once again the streets are gay 
As a gypsy's holiday ; 
Once again has life begun 
Fresh and fair beneath the sun. 

Yesterday the toiling town 
Dull with care was bending down ; 
Now to-day it lifts its head, 
For to-day dull care has fled, — 

3 



34 Lyrics ajid Legends. 

Vanished fur the moment quite, 
At the sudden sound and sight 
Of this heedless happy crew, 
Merry monarchs through and through. 

What to them the cares that weigh? 
'T is the breaking of tlieir day, 
^Vhen across the morning skies 
Only rainbow-hopes arise. 

Theirs to be the lot and part 
Of bold conquerors at the start .; 
Every dragon fear and doubt, 
Lion-hearted they will rout 



THE SONG OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

At last I have come to my throne. 
No more, despised and unknown, 

In gardens forlorn 

My blossoms are born ; 
No more in some corner obscure 
Do I drearily, sadly endure 

The withering blight 

Of neglect and of slight ; 
Oh, long have I waited and late, 
For this fair and slow-coming fate. 

Which the years have foretold 

As they sighingly rolled. 
Oh, long have I waited and lone ; 
But at last, on my blossomy throne, 



36 Lyrics and Legends. 

The world doth declare 

I am fairest of fair, 
And queen of the autumn I reign, 
With a sway that none may disdain, 

I, once who did stand, 

Despised in the land. 



THE OLD AND THE NEW. 

I. 

Said the year that was old, 

" I am cold, I am cold, 
And my breath hurries fast 

On the wild winter blast 
Of this thankless December. 

Ah, who will remember 
As I shivering go, 

The warmth and the glow. 
That arose like a flame, 

When I came, when I came? 
For T brought in my hands 

From Utopian lands 



40 Lyrics and Legends. 

Golden gifts, and the schemes 

That were fairer than dreams. 
Ah, never a king 

Of a twelvemonth will bring 
Such splendor of treasure, 

Without stint or measure, 
As I brought on that day, 

Triumphant and gay. 
But alas, and alas, 

Who will think as I pass 
I was once gay and bold ? " 

Sighed the year that was old. 

II. 

Said the year that was young, — 
And his hght laughter rung, — 

" Come, bid me good cheer. 
For I bring with me here 



The Old and the Nezv. 41 

Such gifts as the earth 

Never saw till my birth. 
All the largess of life, 

Right royally rife 
With the plans and the schemes 

Of the world's highest dreams ; 
Then, Hope's chalice filled up 

To the brim of the cup. 
Let us drink to the past. 

The poor pitiful past," 
Sang the year that was young, 

While his light laughter rung. 



WHERE? 

Where went you on that August day, 
When out of sight you took your way? 
The sun was soft, the winds were low, 
No breath of bitterness did blow 
For dying summer as it went ; 
But bitter, bitter breath was spent 
In bitter tears for you that day, 
As out of sight you took your way. 

Where did you go, my love, my dear? 
Into what country, far or near. 
By mountain path or shoreless main. 
Took you that wealth of heart and brain. 



46 Lyrics and Legends. 

That voice of music, and tliat face 
That made the world an empty place 
For me, to me, when out of sight 
And sound and touch they vanished quite ? 

Wliere did you go? O love, come back 
One moment down that shadowed track. 
And give me news, and tell me where, 
What way your wandering steps did fare ; 
And if some tender hand did lead, 
Some voice did soothe, perhaps, at need, 
So that you missed not overmuch, 
In that strange hour, my voice and touch. 

Ah, never had I failed before 
To follow where your footsteps bore. 
Or by your side to hold my way — 
Ah, never yet, until that day. 



Where ? 47 

Just as the August day was spent, 
Upon that unknown path you went, 
That path that leads — oh, tell us where, 
And break this burden of despair ! 



THE ROSE AND THE WEED. 

Up these very stairs she went, 
Down these rooms she daily sent 
Smiles of greeting as he came ; 
Can I dare to come and claim 
What she held with such a grace ! 
Can I dare to take her place? 

When I entered at the door 
Would her face not go before? 
When my foot was on the stair, 
Would he not, before me there, 
Hear her tread, and thrill with pain. 
More than once and once again? 



The Rose and the Weed. 49 

What am I beside that grace 
But a weed thrust out of place 
In a garden where the rose 
In her royal beauty grows? 
She had looked at one like me 
Blindly and unconsciously, 

As a queen might idly glance 
At the lowly weed perchance. 
Yet, ah me, it is the weed 
That doth sometimes heal at need. 
Should the weed then vainly care 
That the royal rose was fair? 

Would the rose dispute the place 
That the weed's low roots embrace? 
And the lover of the rose. 
Can I count what love bestows, 
Can I price its priceless power 
In the reckoning of an hour? 



FATE. 

The hour was late — 
Oh, was it fate? 
I stayed a moment at the gate 
To see you pass 
Across the grass. 

The hour was late — 
Oh, was it fate? 

For as you sped 
With hurrying tread, 
You lifted up your bending head, 
And caught with fear 
My shadow near ; 

It barred the gate — 
Oh, was it fate? 



Fate. 5 1 

I had not meant 
With grave intent 

To seek you out, when there I leant 
To watch you pass 
Across the grass ; 

But at the gate — 
Oh, was it fate 

That did discover 
Tliere a lover, 

In one who 'd been so long a rover 
He 'd half forgot 
The common lot, 

The common fate, 
Might him await? 



TWO FRIENDS. 

Bitter words they 'd spoken 

Each to each, 
Till a cloud unbroken 

Seemed to reach — 
Seemed to float between them, 

Dull and gray. 
Like a veil, to screen them 

Since that day 
Each from each ; till, alas, there. 

Half in hate, 
They did meet and pass there, 

Who so late 



Two Friends. 53 



Had been friends together, 

Friends of years, 
Through all winds and weather, 

Hopes and fears. 
"All these years mistaken," 

Murmured one ; 
" Now to start and waken, 

Find undone. 
Ruined past retrieving 

At a blow 
All my fine believing." 

Very low 
Murmured he, the other, 

" This the end? 
More than any brother 

Seemed this friend." 
Thus apart they spoke there 
Under breath. 



54 Lyrics and Legends. 

At that moment broke there 

News of death. 
Faster yet, and faster 

Flew that wail 
Of the dread disaster, 

Till the tale 
Over all the city 

Cast its gloom 
Of dismay and pity 

For such doom. 
When the rumors rang there 

At the start. 
More than one man sprang there 

Sick at heart. 
One thus fearing, waited. 

Dumb with fear 
For the friend " half hated," 

Now so dear. 



Two Friends. 55 



Should he find him lying 

Stiff and stark? 
Should he find him dying? 

Hark ! oh, hark ! 
Whose the voice that falls there, 

On his ear? 
Whose the name it calls there, 

Full and clear? 
Face to face thus meeting, 

Hand to hand. 
In that moment greeting, 

Dumb they stand, 
With full hearts outgoing. 

Each to each. 
With full eyes o'erflowing 

For their speech. 
What ! they 'd once contended, 

Blindly thought 



56 Lyrics and Legends. 

All their friendship ended, 
Come to naught? 

Face to face with death there, 
Out of sight, 

Like a wind-blown breath there, 
Fled their spite. 



HIS MESMERIC EXPERIMENT. 

Brow bent over, eyelids falling, 
All the soft hair's silken splendor 

Lying prest 

Against my breast. 
While her soul in dumb surrender, 
Floated upward at my calling, — 
Floated upward to my keeping, 
As a dove might float to capture. 

While a thrill. 

Swift and chill, 
As of half- remorseful rapture, 
Through and through my veins went creeping. 



58 Lyrics mtd Legends. 

" Just a moment more," I faltered, 
" And her soul will lie before me 
Unconcealed 
And full revealed." 

On that instant there swept o'er me 
In a flood-tide as I paltered, 
Wave on wave of bitter leaven, 
And I seemed to hear God crying 
Then and there, 
" Oh, beware ! 
Hold thee from thy rash espying. 
These are border lands of Heaven, 
And my angels at their portals. 
With veiled eyes and hidden faces, 
And my hosts 
At their posts. 
Know that these are sacred places. 



His Mesmeric Experiment. 59 

Guarded 'round by my immortals. 

Whoso, then, in rash pursuing 

Of his will, shall seek these portals, 

Guarded twice 

And guarded thrice 
By this triune of immortals. 
Shall repent with bitter rueing. 
Mine alone the right to enter 
At these hidden sacred places 

Where the heart 

Holds apart, 
While the angels veil their faces ; 
Mine alone the right to enter." 
"Thine alone," my soul and heart there 
Swift responded ; then repeating. 

Low of tone, 

"Thine alone," 
Backward moving, slow retreating, 



6o Lyrics and Legends. 

Silently I drew apart there. 

Thus I left her. When she woke there 

Presently, with keen, clear vision 

Full and free, 

I could see 
At a glance her gay derision, 
Ere her mocking laughter broke there. 
Ere she cried to those who waited, — 
The gay group of friends assembled, — 

" Failed, you see ! " 

Then to me, — 
While I, smiling there, dissembled, — 
" Mesmerism 's over-rated ! " 



I 



THROUGH THE STORM. 

I HEARD a voice, a tender voice soft falling 

Through the storm ; 
The waves were high, the bitter winds were calling, 

Yet breathing warm 
Of skies serene, of sunny uplands lying 

In peace beyond; 
This tender voice, unto my voice replying, 

Made answer fond. 
Sometimes indeed like clash of armies meeting 

Arose the gale, 
But over all, that sweet voice kept repeating, 

"I shall not fail." 



THE STAR OF TRUTH. 

I FOLLOW fast, I follow far, 
From dusk to dusk a glimmering star ; 
Ingulfed at times by thickest night, 
I lose my breath, I lose my sight. 

Then, for a space, bold heart and hope 

Forsaketh me, yet still I grope ; 

Still by some instinct led afar 

To seek, and seek that glimmering star. 

From time to time false lights betray, 
Strange voices call along the way ; 
Now here, now there, confused, misled, 
I turn aside with stumbling tread, 



The Star of Truth. 65 

And enter thus with reckless haste 
Upon that barren land of waste, 
Where nothing is, or is to be. 
But barren waste eternally. 

And o'er this waste — a pathless plain — 
1 stumble on, to find again 
Old clews that gather up the new, 
Old faiths baptized in morning dew. 

Then, all at once, I see the white, 
Still shining of that ray of light, 
Where truth abides, — that steadfast star 
Toward which my steps have followed far. 

And forward, forward once again 
I leave behind the pathless plain ; 
Blown onward by resistless breath 
To find the clews of life, in death. 



THE LESSON OF TRUST. 

These wait all upon Thee. — Psalms. 

The wind of the morning was in the sky, 
Calhng and calling, now low, now high ! 
" Awake and awake, ye bonny wee birds ! 
And awake and awake, ye flocks and ye herds ! " 

It called and it called, long ever a note 
Was answered back by a feathered throat ; 
And the flocks and herds were as silent and still, 
Under the brow of the shelterhig hiU. 

But suddenly, through the darkness there, 
Over the hill and everywhere — 
By field and wood and rock and river — 
A shadowy presence seemed to quiver ; 



TJic Lesson of Trust. 6^ 

And straightway out of a million throats 
Lifted a million musical notes, 
And all in a moment, as if at a word, 
The sleeping cattle awoke and stirred ; 

And rock and river and plain and hill 
^V^ith jubilant life began to thrill, 
IVhile yet no liuiiian eye eoiild mark 
The spirit of dawn within the dark ! 



THE LOST FRIEND. 

On, what was the hour and the day, 

The moment I lost you? 
I thought you were walking my way, 

I turned to accost you, 

And silence and emptiness met 

My word half-unspoken ; 
But I thought, and I said, " I shall get 

A word or a token, 

"That sometime and somewhere he will wait, 

Impatient, to meet me — 
Round the corner, perhaps, at the gate. 

Come smiling to greet me." 



The Lost Friend. 69 

But never a token or word 

Has he sent to me hither, 
Nor wherefore he went have I heard, 

Nor wherefore nor whither. 

Oh, what was the hour and the day, 

The moment you left me. 
When you went on your separate way. 

Oh, friend, and bereft me? 

Sometime and somewhere shall we walk. 

Clear of earth, in high places? 
Sometime and somewhere shall we talk, 

With our hearts in our faces? 

And see all the meaning writ clear, 

The depth and the sweetness, 
Apart from this doubt and this fear, 

This sad incompleteness? 



A LOST DAY. 

Where is the day I lost, — 

The golden day, 
Beyond all price and cost, 

That slipped away 

Out of my wandering sight, 
My careless hold? 

Where did it lift in flight 
Its wings of gold? 

What were the treasures rare 
It bore from me? 

What were the pleasures fair 
I shall not see? 



A Lost Day. 71 

Ah, never day was yet 

So fine, so fair, 
So rich with promise set, 

So free from care, 

As that we mourn and sigh 

When we do say, — 
" Alas, how time doth fly, 

I 've lost a day ! " 



DISCONTENT. 

Before my steps she hovering flits 
My foe, — the demon Discontent ; 

Or by my side she sadly sits 

With restless mien and eyes down-bent. 

Most times^ however, she doth lift 
Her gaze beyond to something far ; 

I look, and through a cloudy rift 
I see the shining of a star. 

Why should I strive that star to gain? 

My heart is faint, my courage spent ; 
Why should I leave the grassy plain, 

O cruel, cruel Discontent. 



Disco7ttent. 73 



But as I cry, "Oh why, oh why?" 
She turns on me a wondering gaze. 

And wonderingly doth make reply : 
" I lead you out of slothful ways, 

" I spur you on to win the race 
For which you languish overspent ; 

No foe am I, but by God's grace, 
I am — the angel Discontent." 



LUCIFER. 

When I went out of Paradise, 

I turned a backward glance to see 

'i'wo flaming swords : once, twice, and thrice, 
I turned and turned, ere I could flee. 

Then down the darkened path I sped, 

And heard heaven's gate behind me close : 

What matter then if, quick or dead. 
The world of men before me rose? 

What matter now indeed, to-day, 
These lower honors, lower gains ! 

Above me shines that higher way, — 

I might have walked the heavenly plains ! 



FROM DAY TO DAY. 

Only from day to day 
We hold our way, 

Uncertain ever, 
Though hope and gay desire 
Touch with their fire 

Each fresli endeavor. 

Only from day to day 
We grope our way 

Through hurrying hours ; 
But still our castles fair 
Lift to the air 

Their glistening towers, 



28 Lyrics and Legends. 

. And still from day to day 
Along the way 

Beckon us ever, 
To follow, follow, follow, 
O'er hill and hollow. 

With fresh endeavor. 

Sometimes, triumphant, gay. 
The bugles play 

And trumpets sound 
From out those glistening towers, 
And rainbow showers 

Bedew the ground; 

Then "sweet, oh, sweet the way," 
We smiling say. 

And forward press 
With swift, impatient feet. 
And hearts that beat 
With eagerness. 



Frotn Day to Day. 79 

Yet still beyond, the gay 
Sweet bugles play, 

The trumpets blow, 
Howe'er we flymg haste, 
Or, lagging, waste 

The hours that go ; 

Still far and far away, 
Till comes the day 

We gain that peak 
In Darien; then, blind 
No more, we find 

Perchance what we do seek. 



A CONQUEROR. 

How fast and close they cling, 
These memories that sting ! 
Days pass, years come and go, 
Above the ebb and flow 
Of all this human tide, — 
Still ever doth abide, 
Through devious wandering, 
Some memory that will sting. 

Perhaps we thought one day, 
Somewhere upon our way, 
Sometime, somewhere to find 
That we had left behind, 



A Conqueror. 

Or buried under flowers, 
These memories of ours, 
And henceforth we should be 
Of all their venom free. 

But never time nor place 
Brings that forgetting grace ; 
We gain, perhaps, some height 
Kissed by the morning light, — 
We walk with friends thereon, 
And Paradise seems won ; 
But in that moment fair, 
Swift through the ambient air 

Straight to our very heart 
Flies that unerring dart. 
Nowhere can we escape 
The shafts of that dark shape ; 
6 



82 Lyrics and Legends. 

No height can leave below 
The arrows of that foe. 
Come, then, O soul, O heart, 
Turn thee, and face the dart ! 

Fling off thy craven fears, 
Thy trembling and thy tears ; 
And as that hero bold 
Who crushed within his hold 
The bristling Austrian spears, 
Crush thou these craven fears. 
Thus haply thou shalt gain 
That saving salt of pain 

Embalmed in bitterness ; 
Thus haply thou shalt press 
Still further up and on. 
Till higher heights are won, — 



A Conqueror. 83 

Till conqueror at length, 
By virtue of thy strength 
Thou standest, O my soul, 
Before a kingly goal ! 



TAKE HEART OF GRACE. 

Take heart of grace, begin anew, 
To-day 's to-day, not yesterday, 

And on its budding bloom the dew 
Of early morning still doth play. 

Take heart of grace, and gather up 
This dewy sweetness of the morn. 

Fill up with this your emptied cup. 
And pledge the fair hours newly born. 

Take heart of grace, and look before. 
Instead of backward on the way. 

Wash out the old regretful score, 
The sorrowing sins of yesterday ; 



Take Heart of Grace. 85 

And let the old mistakes and pain 
Be cleansed with this refreshing dew, 

And make beginning once again, 

With hope and courage bright and new. 

For what 's the world and all its days, 

But ours to try and try again? 
Not ours to folter on its ways. 

Not ours to fling aside for pain. 

Take heart of grace, then, day by day, — 
Take heart of grace, and sing each morn : 

" To-day 's to-day, not yesterday. 
And all the world is newly born ! " 



IN THE RAIN. 

O ROBIN, robin, singing in the rain, 

While black clouds lower 

Above your bower ! 
O swallow, swallow, pouring forth your strain 

Of hope and cheer, 

While dull and drear 
The gray skies bend above your soaring flight ! — 

Come bring, come bring 

To us your spring 
Of joyous hopefulness and sure delight ! 

Come teach our human hearts your lack of fear, 

From day to day, 

Though skies be gray ; 
Your happy faith and trust that somewhere near, 



In the Rain. 8/ 

Just out of sight, 

The sun's bright light 
Doth wait to break, and make the world anew; 

Doth wait to lift 

The rainy rift, 
The lowering clouds, and show Heaven shining 
through. 



I 




THE PILGRIM VOYAGERS. 

The winds blew down a favoring gale, 
The skies were clear, as they set sail, — 
Those pilgrims bold, from Holland's shore, 
Two hundred years ago and more. 

Day after day, week after week, 
They sailed and sailed, till, cold and bleak, 
From icy coasts the breezes blew. 
Where had they lost the happy clew 

That would have brought them as they planned 

Unto that fair Virginian land, — 

That southern shore that bore the name 

Of England's queen and Raleigh's fame? 



92 Lyrics and Legends. 

But vainly then they trimmed their sails ; 
Caught in the wild New- England gales, 
They yielded to their fate, and found 
Their shelter on New England's ground. 

Not this the haven they had planned, — 
This rocky coast, this wintry land ; 
Yet none the less in full accord, 
They blessed " the leading of the Lord," 

And built upon the rugged earth 
The homes that gave a nation l)irth, 
And sowed and reaped their scanty grain, 
With faith that conquered loss with gain. 

What armed force did ever wrest 
From any country, east or west. 
Such triumphs as these gallant men 
With faith and love did conquer then? 



The Pilgrim Voyagers. 93 

No dreams of power, no greed of gold, 
Did tempt these men to leave the old 
And seek the new, — for liberty. 
Fair Freedom's dower, they crossed the sea; 

That freedom that would give to man 
New life, and laws of simple plan ; 
Where justice, mercy, love, and peace 
Should rule and reign without surcease. 

With what success they builded there 
Upon this plan of freedom fair. 
We know to-day, who live to see 
The splendor of their victory. 

And whoso says that we to-day 
Have lost the old heroic way, 
Shall find the hero and his deed 
To fit the very hour of need. 



94 Lyrics and Legends. 

For somewhere yet, beneath the face 
Of pessimistic commonplace, — 
That shadow on our shining sun, — 
The ardent pilgrim blood doth run. 



ON PLYMOUTH BAY. 

Down Plymouth Bay we sailing bore 
Past rocky ledge and sandy shore, 
While sunset lights streamed redly down, 
And touched with fire the quaint old town 

Where Bradford ruled, and Brewster prayed, 
And Standish went forth undismayed 
To face the lawless Indian foe. 
In that old time so long ago. 

Past rocky ledge and sandy shore 
We sailing sung, as on we bore, 
A fooHsh song of love, until 
A voice arose with sudden thrill, 



96 Lyrics and Legends. 

And sent across the murmuring waves 
The fervent words, the stahvart staves, 
The long-drawn measures of a psahn 
They might have sung to lift and calm 

Their fainting souls in those dark days 
When unknown perils blocked the ways, 
And, sore beset, the Pilgrim band 
Watered with tears their new-found land. 

From end to end the psalm we sung, 
And as the brave old words outrung. 
With echoing thrills across the bay. 
With echoing thrills that distant day 

Pressed close upon us as we bore 
Past rocky ledge and sandy shore, 
Until, as deepening night came down 
And shrouded half the little town, 



Oil Ply month Bay. 97 

And hid the wharves in ghostly gray, 
We seemed ourselves to be as they 
Who wandered here by wild winds blown, 
Strange seekers of the vast unknown, — 

With something of their aim and thought. 
Their high, heroic purpose brought 
To bear upon our commonplace, 
Just for a moment's saving grace. 

But in that moment's grace what fire 
Did flash along the electric wire 
That knits the deathless bonds of race ! 
What flame did pierce our commonplace, 

To show us, by its searching rays, 
The contrast of those ancient days, — 
Those high, heroic lives, to these 
Of lower aims and selfish ease ! 



OUR FRENCH ALLIES. 

Dark was that hour before the hght 

That ushered in the morn 
Of that great day, when to the world 

A nation's Hfe was born. 

For foes without, and foes within, 

Had threatened at the start, 
Till men once brave, and men once bold, 

Did falter, faint of heart. 

Yet stanch and firm — their faith and trust 
Untouched by fear or doubt — 

That little band of patriots stood 
To fight the battle out ; 



Onr French Allies. 99 

To fight, and win their freehold right 

Unto the soil they trod, 
The homes their pilgrim fathers held 

As a free gift from God, — 

The homes on which old England laid 

The pressure of her hand, 
And taxed at will, until uprose 

A protest in the land; 

And force met force, and might met right. 

While parliament and crown 
Swore out a mighty oath to bring 

"Those boasting Yankees down." 

But doiy by day, and week by week. 

And month by month went by, 
And still "those boasting Yankees" dared 

Old England to defy. 



lOO Lyrics mid Legends. 

"What folly this!" the British cried, 
"What madness, when the end 

Is ours to take, and ours to make 
These rebel subjects bend, 

"And own the power they now defy, 

And pay the rebel debt 
Of treason's score, which now they flout 

With braggart thrust and threat." 

Still grimly stanch they held their place, ■ 

The little patriot band, — 
By foes without, and foes within, 

Beset on every hand. 

Half-clad, half-fed, they faltered not ; 

When round about their way 
The shadows closed, they only said, 

"To morrow '11 bring the day." 



Oil J- FrcncJi Allies. loi 

'T was then, just at the darkest hour, 

When hope was well-nigh spent, 
And prophecies of ill were rife, 

That France her message sent. 

Oh, gallant word of cheer and help, 

Forerunner of the deed 
That followed f:TSt, what life you brought 

In that dark hour of need ! 

What life, and health, and courage, then, 

Sprung up afresh to give 
New power and strength, new hope and heart. 

And bid the nation live. 

O generous land, when other lands 

Looked on in cold disdain. 
Who sent your timely aid to us. 

Not once, but once again. 



102 Lyrics and Legends. 

Whose costly fleets brought out to us 
Your country's pride and flower, 

What hearts have we, what memories, 
To overlook that hour ! 

I'o hear indifferently his name 
Whose youthful ardor spurred 

His country on to such response 
Of gallant deed and word ! 

Whose noble eloquence inspired 

King Louis' timid soul, 
Whose fiery courage caught and hekl 

All France in its control ! 

Ah, let the land that gave him birth. 

Indifferently forget, 
Or hear without a thrill at heart 

The name of La Fayette, 



Our French Allies. 103 

But never, while the world endures 

And time and seasons roll, 
Let my America forget 

Her debt to that great soul. 

Let her remember year by year 

What France with him bestowed, 
How generously in time of need 

Her warm heart overflowed. 

Oh, my America, to-day 

Strong-limbed, of giant power, 
Look back with gratitude and love 

To that long vanished hour. 

Look backward, then, with outstretched hands. 

Go forth to seek her there — 
There where she sits beside her Seine, 

This kingless "France the Fair." 



I04 Lyrics and Legends. 

Go forth with gifts, love-gifts to her, 

Nor longer make delay ; 
Let loose the flood-tide of your heart, 

America, to-day ! 



THE SIEGE OF CALAIS. 

Twenty trumpets, blowing, blowing, 
Fifers playing, drums a-going, 
Bugles calling to the fray, 
When King Edward took his way 
To the city of Calais. 

Down he rode with banners streaming. 
Sabres shining, lances gleaming, 

Down he rode, the kingly head 
Of the glittering line he led, 
Rode into the sunset red, 



io8 Lyrics and Legends. 

Westward, where in bold defying 
Fifty Calais flags were flying. 

Watching from the turret heights 
Laughed aloud the Calais knights, 
Soldiers famed in famous fights. 



As they laughed, still near and nearer 

Rode the King, and clear and clearer 

Just beyond the guarded moat 

Trumpet-call and bugle-note 

On the evening air did float. 

Then, with splendid pennons streaming, 
Golden lions and lilies gleaming 
On the royal standards there, 
Forth there rode a herald fair 
With a confident, bold air. 



The Siege of Calais. 109 

Swift he rode, with pace unfaltering, 

Not a sign of doubt or paltering ; 
Swift he rode, as sped by fate, 
Straight unto the Calais gate. 
Clothed about with royal state. 



"In the king's name, open straightway!" 
Called he there before the gateway. 

From their fortress strong and high, 
Scornfully they made reply, 
"In the king's name, we defy 

"British greed and British power. 

Here in fortress and in tower, 

France shall keep and hold her own, 

Over Calais reign alone, 

With her king upon his throne ! " 



I lo Lyrics and Legends. 

But alas for Calais, lying 

Month by month there, starving, dying, 
In her melancholy plight 
Held in siege by England's might 
With her armed force in sight, — 

Month by month until, despairing. 
Forth they sent a warder bearing 

This frank message : they would fling 
Open wide their gates, and bring 
Straight unto the English king 

The keys of Calais if in pity 
He would pass from out the city 

All the people, young and old, — 
Nobles, merchants, soldiers bold. 
All the populace, full told. 



The Siege of Calais. 1 1 1 

Hot with wrath, the king made answer, — 
"Tell your lords that every man, sir. 
All the people, young and old, 
Nobles, merchants, soldiers bold, 
All the populace, full told, 

"To the English crown shall render 

Unconditional surrender. 

Shall be subject unto me, 
Or for ransom or for fee. 
Ere the siege shall lifted be ! " 

When returned the Calais warder 
With this message, flushed with ardor, 

With their French blood mounting high, 
Swift the lords did make reply, 
"Tell the king that we can die, — 



112 Lyrics and Legends. 

" Bravely starve without his pity, 
Shut within our guarded city; 
But to turn so late, so late. 
Cowards at the very gate, — 
Send unto this blindfold fate 



"Comrades who have starved together, 
Through a twelvemonth's varied weather, — 

Shall a Frenchman stoop so low, 

Yield like this unto a foe, 

Faithless, heartless? No, — ah, no!" 

Stirred with something like relenting 
At this courage, half repenting 

Of his tyrannous decree, 

Edward cried impatiently, 

''Tell these Frenchmen now from me, 



The Siege of Calais. 1 1 3 

"If as ransom they will straightway 

Send me by the city gateway 

Six chief merchants of the town, 

Citizens of high renown, 

Swift my herald shall ride down 

" Into Calais, and proclaim there 
Peace and pardon in my name there ; 
Peace and pardon full and fain, 
Unto those who do remain 
Subject to my sovereign reign." 

" Never ! never ! " rose the bitter 

Cry of Calais. " It were fitter 
We should die together here 
Than to buy our lives so dear ! " 
But at this a voice rose clear, 



114 Lyrics and Legends. 

Saying, " Friends, it were a pity 
Thus to doom to death a city ; 

Are there not at this sore need 
Men of high renown and deed 
Who will follow where 1 lead?" 



Then forth stepped, with gallant bearing, 
Six brave men whose noble daring 
Was to save the city there 
From the doom of slow despair; 
Forth they stepped, while sob and prayer 

Broke the cheers that were ascending 

In a pitiful, strange blending ; 
For alas ! — what cruel fate 
Lurked behind that iron gate 
Where King Edward held his state ! 



TJic Siege of Calais. 115 

Hopeless then of English pity, 
Forth they went from out the city, 

Bare of foot and bare of head, 

And by halters meanly led, 

As the king had grimly said. 

When before him in this fashion 
They were trought, with sudden passion 
Loud he thundered, " Let them die ! " 
Then arose a tender cry : 
"■ O my liege, my lord, put by 

" In this hour war's cruel measure ! 
Calais yields her life and treasure 

To your mercy, O my king ! 

Give her then, unreckoning, 

Mercy that befits a king." 



Ii6 Lyrics and Legends. 

In a moment's breathless span there, 
Joyfully from man to man there 

Ran the whisper low yet keen, 
" 'T is Philippa , 't is the Queen ! " 
Startled from his warlike mien, 



Flushed King Edward as he listened. 
As he saw the eyes that glistened. 

Then, with voice that vainly tried 
To be fierce with wrath and pride, 
" Dame, my dame ! " he sharply cried. 

But, before him straightway kneeling. 
Spake the Queen in soft appealing : 
" For my sake ! " she sweetly said, 
Lifting up her drooping head, 
In her face both love and dread. 



The Siege of Calais. 1 1 7 

For her sake ! The stern hps parted ; 
There he stood, this hon- hearted 

Soldier, conqueror, and king, 

For her sake considering 

Mercy that befits a king ! 

For her sake ! Yet when, assenting, 
Turned he there with swift relenting, 
Who that looked upon his face, 
Merciful with pardoning grace. 
Failed the glad relief to trace? 

So at last the grand old story 

Ends in conquered Calais's glory ; 

For not Edward's might and skill. 
Nor Philippa's gracious will. 
Through the centuries doth thrill, 



ii8 Lyrics and Legends. 

But that deed so great and tender, 
Where in noble self-surrender 

Six brave men in solemn state 
Passed beyond that iron gate, 
Halter- led, to meet their fate ! 



BALBOA. 

With restless step of discontent, 
Day after day he fretting went 
Along the old accustomed ways 
That led to easeful length of days. 

But far beyond the fragrant shade 
Of orange groves his glances strayed 
To where the white horizon line 
Caught from the sea its silvery shine. 

He knew the taste of that salt spray, 
He knew the wind that blew that way ; 
Ah, once again to mount and ride 
Upon that pulsing ocean tide, — 



I20 Lyrics and Legends. 

To find new lands of virgin gold, 
To wrest them from the savage hold, 
To conquer with the sword and brain 
Fresh fields and foir for royal Spain ! 

This was the dream of wild desire ■ 
That set his gallant heart on fire, 
And stn-red with feverish discontent 
That soul for nobler issues meant. 

Sometimes his children's laughter brought 
A thrill that checked his restless thought ; 
Sometimes a voice more tender yet 
Would soothe the fever and the fret. 

Thus day by day, until one day 
Came news that in the harbor lay 
A ship bound outward to explore 
The treasures of that western shore, 



Balboa. 1 2 1 

Which bold adventurers as yet 
Had failed to conquer or forget ; 
"Yet where they failed, and foiling died, 
My will shall conquer ! " Balboa cried. 

But when on Darien's shore he stept, 
And fast and far his vision swept, 
He saw before him, white and still, 
The Andes mocking at his will. 

Then like a flint he set his face ; 
Let others falter from their place, 
His hand and foot, his sturdy soul 
Should seek and gain that distant goal ! 

With speech like this he fired the land. 
And gathered to his bold command 
A troop of twenty score or more. 
To follow where he led before. 



122 Lyrics and Legends. 

They followed him clay after day 
O'er burning lands where ambushed lay 
The waiting savage in his lair, 
And fever poisoned all the air. 

But like a sweeping wind of flame 
A conqueror through all he came \ 
The savage fell beneath his hand, 
Or led him on to seek the land 

That richer yet for golden gain 
Stretched out beyond the mountain chain. 
Steep after steep of rough ascent 
They followed, followed, worn and spent. 

Until at length they came to where 

The last peak lifted near and fair ; 

Then Balboa turned and waved aside 

His panting troops. '• Rest here," he cried. 



Balboa. 123 

"And wait for me." And with a tread 
Of trembling haste, he quickly sped 
Along the trackless height, alone 
To seek, to reach, his mountain throne. 

Step after step he mounted swift ; 

The wind blew down a cloudy drift ; 

From some strange source he seemed to hear 

The music of another sphere. 

Step after step ; the cloud-winds blew 

Their blinding mists, then through and through 

Sun-cleft, they broke, and all alone 

He stood upon his mountain throne. 

Before him spread no paltry lands. 
To wrest with spoils from savage hands ; 
But, fresh and fair, an unknown world 
Of mighty sea and shore unfurled 



124 Lyrics and Legends. 

Its wondrous scroll beneath the skies. 
Ah, what to this the flimsy prize 
Of gold and lands for which he came 
With hot ambition's sordid aim ! 

Silent he stood with streaming eyes 
In that first moment of surprise, 
Ihen on the mountain-top he bent, 
This conqueror of a continent, 

In wordless ecstasy of prayer, — 
Forgetting in that moment there, 
With Nature's God brought face to face, 
All vainer dreams of pomp and place. 

Thus to the world a world was given. 
Where lesser men had vainly striven, 
And striving died, — this gallant soul. 
Divinely guided, reached the goal. 



THE HERO OF THE FORT. 

What, you never heard of Boisrose, 
The hero bold and brave and gay, 
Who scaled the rock and took the fort, 
Then, bolder still, did make report 
Of deed and claims before the king 
Without a word of faltering? 

And Rosny,^ he who afterward 
Was Duke of Sully, stood and heard 
With chuckling mirth the sturdy claim 
This hero dared thus coolly name : 
"Six hundred feet, your liege, we went. 
Six hundred feet of sheer ascent 
1 Marquis Rosny. 



126 Lyrics and Lci^cnds. 

Above the surface of the sea, — 
A cable rope flung down to me 
And fastened firm, by one outside 
The fortress wall, our only guide. 
Who was our friend within the camp? 
A sailor, Sire, of such a stamp 
As might a hundred heroes make — 
I 'd give a hundred for his sake ! 
And for this deed, which to the crown 
Brings back again the fortress town, 
I only asked your royal grace 
A right to rule the little place. 
As governor from this time on. 

" And thus I said to Villars there, 
Your admiral — how he did stare, 
When my conditions I made plain ! — 
To yield the fort, might I remain 



The Hero of the Fort. 127 

As governor of the little town. 

He raved and stormed ; then, marching down 

With all his army, made demand 

That forthwith I should yield command 

Without conditions, and retire 

From fort and camp ; then straightway, Sire, 

I sent to you my proffered claim. 

When Marshal Biron strutting came 

With vain pretences of his power. 

If words were gifts, I 'd had a shower 

Of all the treasures in the land. 

'Twas thus he wheedled my command 

From out my grasp. I was to be — 

The Lord knows what, your Majesty^ — 

The Governor of Feschamp, or 

Some fine equivalent therefor. 

And this was all, for not a word. 

Ay, not a sign, since then I 've heard ; 



128 Lyrics and Legends. 

And, Sire, he promised in your name 
At once to heed and grant my claim ! " 

The speaker paused indignant here ; 
The marquis grinned from ear to ear, 
And sent the king a look that said, 
"Was e'er so bold a varlet bred?" 

But he, the good King Henri, turned. 
And smiling, cried, " 'T is fairly earned, 
As you assert, brave Boisros^, 
And as my Rosny here did say 
Before you came ; ay, ay, you see 
You 've still to learn, if majesty 
And courts delay, no soldier yet 
Did ever any tale forget 
Of gallant deeds; so, go your way, 
And with you take, Sieur Boisros^, 



The Hero of the Fort. 129 

A soldier's word, signed by a king, 

That such a hero's deed shall bring 

Fit recompense ; and Rosny here 

Shall prove to you how near and dear 

He also holds a hero's fame. 

Now, marquis, speak, and strike with shame 

This doubting hero ; tell him now 

What fine award you made me vow 

In place of Feschamp to bestow." 

The king rose up ; the marquis low 
Before him bent ; then, smiling, turned 
To Boisrose, whose brown cheek burned 
With frank amazement thus to hear 
That Rosny held his exploit dear. 

And what Vv'as this the marquis there 
Was saying, with that smiling air? 
9 



130 Lyrics and Legends. 

" The rank of captain from that day, 
Twelve thousand Hvres the yearly pay, 
With twice a thousand crowns in hand." 

Ah, what was Feschamp's dull command 
To this, indeed, — to serve the king 
In camp and field? Half faltering, 
With all his braggart bluster fled. 
Bold Boisrose bent down his head, 
And murmured low : " Ah, Sire, forgive 
My angry doubts ; henceforth I live 
For you and PVance, and if a deed. 
An act of mine, could e 'er at need 
My lord the marquis serve, perchance 
He too may pardon me — for France." 



J I M. 

Out in a fog-bank we went down, — 

Four-and-twenty men full told, 
Fishermen all, from Provincetown, 

None of 'em more than thirty year old. 

We 'd cleared the banks and were homeward bound, 
With such a load as you never saw, — 

Cod and mackerel fine and sound, 

Twelve hundred weight without a flaw. 

The wind was west and the sky was clear 
When we set our sails that night for home ; 

Nobody had a thought of fear 

An hour before the end had come. 



132 Lyrics and Legends. 

Jim was whistlin' — a way he had — 
A theatre tune he 'd heard somewhere ; 

I can hear it now, and can see the lad, 

With his handsome shoulders broad and square. 

He stood at the helm, and he knew his place, 

Nobody knew it better than he. 
One minute the moon lit up his face. 

The next, I swear I couldn't see 

Half a foot before me there ! 

Just as sudden as that it fell, 
That white fog-bank, — a devil's snare 

It seemed to me, from the pit of hell ! 

Four-and-twenty men full told. 

And never one of 'em saved but me. 

None of 'em more than thirty year old. 
As likely lads as ever you see. 



Jim. 133 

Fisherman's luck, perhaps you say. 

The parson said pretty nigh the same, 
When he tried to comfort the folks that day, 

Though he fixed it up by another name. 

Well, it 's five-and-thirty years to-night 

Since we parted company, Jim and me, — 

Since I saw him there in that March moonlight, 
His hand to the helm, his face to the sea. 

Five-and-thirty years, and Jim — 

He 's a young man still, I s'pose, while I, 

My hair is white, and my eyes are dim. 
But, mate, I 've a notion, when I die 

He '11 be at the helm and steer me through 
The shoaling tide to my journey's end ; 

For Jim and me — well I never knew 

Such a fellow as Jim to stick to a friend. 



134 Lyrics and Legends. 

And I 've had a thought I 've never told 
In all these years before — that Jim 

Would never have lost his grip and hold, 
As somehow I lost my grip on him. 

We went down into the fog together ; 

He was hurt from the first, but I had him fast 
In a clutch like death, I thought ; but whether 

My strength or courage failed at the last 

I never could tell, but only know 

That all at once I found my hand 
Loose and empty — God, wliat a blow ! 

Then I drifted alone to an empty land. 

But I have n't much time here now to spend ; 

My hearing 's dull and my eyes are dim. 
What's that you ask, "afraid of the end"? 

Afraid! Why, the end is — Jim! 



THE COLONEL'S STORY. 

" Come, tell us a story, a long ago story 

Of some wonderful Christmas before we were born ; 

Some story that brings in the war and its glory 
And that soldier coat hanging there dusty and 
worn." 

The gallant old Colonel laughed as he listened 
To this eager demand, from this eager young crew ; 

But laugh as he might, his kindly eyes glistened, 
And his pulses leaped up, at the picture they drew. 

"Come, tell you a story of war and of glory?" 
He lightly repeated ; "ah, what shall I tell 

You boys of to-day of that long ago story, 

When we rode to the tune of the shot and the 
shell? 



136 Lyrics and Legends. 

" You 've thought when you 've read of the start and 
the sally, 

The bugle's gay call, the drum and the fife, 
That whether we rode to a rout or a rally, 

'T was all one to us — a gay soldier's life. 

"Ah, boys, you forget, when the bugle is calling. 
And the drum and the fife set the gay flags a-flying. 

That along either side brave fellows are falling, 
And the shouts of the living are mixed with the 
dying. 

"You forget what we lose even when we are winning — 
No victory yet was won without cost ; 

We silently fill up the ranks that are thinning ; 
We cover with glory the list of the lost. 

"Brave fellows on either side fighting and falling, — 
Ah, well I remember that terrible day. 

When, wounded and faint, on the field I lay crying 
For a cup of cold water, a trooper in gray 



TJie Coloncfs Story. 137 

"Wheeled, stooped from his saddle, and poured down 
my throat 

A draught from his canteen, then galloped away ; 
But fast as he galloped, I saw his gray coat 

And the cavalier hat in the light of the day. 

"And the day — it was Christmas, the day that we 
lost 
On the heights by the fort, and this trooper, you 
know. 
Who had stopped as he rode, without counting the 
cost 
In the rain of the shot and the shell, was — our 
foe! 

"When you read now of deeds that lead up to glory 
Through the gallant bold charges of armies at bay. 

Just pause for a moment, and think of my story, 
And the deed of my silent brave trooper in gray." 



THE LITTLE FOES. 

All in and out, and up and down 
The crooked streets of Boston town, 
King George's troops had held their way 
Through many a weary night and day. 

And walking forth, by day or night. 
The townsfolk saw the bitter sight 
Of British sentries pacing down 
The streets of their beloved town ; 

And heard, wherever they did fare. 
The challenge cry of, "Who goes there?" 
To stay their steps and bar their way, 
By day and night, and night and day. 



The Little Foes. 139 



One day another sound was heard, — 
The cannon's roar, that sent its word 
Of battle forth, to wake and thrill 
The echoing heights of Bunker Hill. 

It happ'd that on the mall that day 

A beardless boy did sentry play, 

And challenged proudly, "Who goes there?" 

Of every soul who met him there. 

One came at last at headlong pace ; 
He mocked the sentry to his face, 
And with a schoolboy's sturdy blow 
He laid the bayonet-bearer low ! 

Then, hand to hand, they grappled there. 
And "Rebel!" "Tyrant!" rent the air 
In tones of wrath, till, loud and shrill, 
A voice came shouting o'er the hill. 



140 Lyrics and Legends. 

One word they heard the shrill voice cry : 
"Defeat! defeat!" then riding by 
At break-neck speed, dust-stained and pale, 
The messenger poured forth his tale. 

And what was that ! What names were those 
The shrill voice called? The boyish foes 
Leap to their feet, cry " truce," and chase 
The break-neck rider on his race. 

So, speeding on, they swiftly gain 
The rider's side, who slackens rein 
To tell the crowd the news he 's brought 
Of how the battle has been fought. 

He tells it all, — that gallant story, — 
The dire defeat, the loss and glory ; 
And who was wounded, who was dead, — 
Until the tumult rose and spread, 



Tlic Little Foes. 141 

And bitter cries and curses fell ; 
But dumb, as if beneath a spell, 
The little sentry turned aside, 
Blind with the tears he strove to hide. 

And all unseeing, white with woe, 
Forgetting for the time his foe, — 
Forgetting everything but this : 
His father's last good-by and kiss. 

The little Yankee lad leaps down 
The grassy slope that fronts the town, 
And turning with uncertain pace. 
He meets the sentry face to face. 

Through falling tears they staring stand 
A moment, then with outstretched hand. 
The little British sentry cries, 
With breaking voice and tearful eyes. 



142 Lyrics and Legends. 

" My father, too, is shot there — dead ! " 
The Yankee lad bends down his head. 
And hand meets hand, and hate 's forgot 
In this their common loss and lot. 



THE END. 



